Merck Secures Exclusive Global License for Hanmi's GLP-1R/GCGR Dual Agonist Efinopegdutide in $870M Deal

By Baihuawen

On August 4, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) announced that it had entered into an exclusive license agreement with Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., securing the rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize the latter’s investigational drug efinopegdutide (HM12525A) for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Efinopegdutide is a once-weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/glucagon receptor (GCGR) dual agonist, whose efficacy and safety in obese patients with or without type 2 diabetes have been previously demonstrated in multiple Phase I and Phase II clinical trials.

Under the terms of the agreement, MSD will obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture, and commercialize efinopegdutide in the United States and globally. Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. will receive a $10 million upfront payment and be eligible for up to $860 million in milestone payments, along with double-digit sales royalties. Meanwhile, Hanmi will retain an option for the commercialization rights of efinopegdutide in South Korea.